Marão Bridge

From HighestBridges.com

Completed in 2012, the Viaduto Marão tied the 1995 Rio Zêzere Bridge to become Portugal's 3rd highest span after the Despe-te que suas and Corgo Bridges. The bridge is located on the western end of a new 30 kilometer highway extension that links up Amarante to Vila Real in Northern Portugal where motorists can cross into Spain. The new route bypasses an older highway with less turns and easier grades.

The huge, single cell rectangular box girder is 29.5 meters wide with gradual banking that changes from left to right as the bridge follows an S-shaped path as it crosses the deep Marão River valley.

Also on the new autopista is the gargantuan 220 meter high Viaduto Corgo and the 105 meter high Viaduto Sordo.

Marão Bridge Elevation

Image by ConstruGomes.

Image by ConstruGomes.

Image by ConstruGomes.

Image by ConstruGomes.

Image by ConstruGomes.

Image by ConstruGomes.

Image by ConstruGomes.

Image by ConstruGomes.

Image by ConstruGomes.

Image by ConstruGomes.

Image by ConstruGomes.

Image by ConstruGomes.

Image by ConstruGomes.

Image by ConstruGomes.

Image by ConstruGomes.

Image by ConstruGomes.

Image by ConstruGomes.

Image by ConstruGomes.

Image by ConstruGomes.

Image by ConstruGomes.

Image by ConstruGomes.

Image by ConstruGomes.

Image by ConstruGomes.

Image by ConstruGomes.

Image by ConstruGomes.

Image by ConstruGomes.

Image by ConstruGomes.

Image by ConstruGomes.

Marao Viaduct image by Ricardo Mirandes.

Image by Fiomental.

There are many smaller viaducts along the steep mountain slopes between Amarante and Vila Real.

A view of viaducts 6,7, 8 and 9 at the far right. Just after viaduct 9 the highway enters the impressive Marão tunnel with a length of 5.6 kilometers. The older highway can be seen higher up on the mountain. Image by Ricardo Mirandes.

A map showing the viaducts and tunnels east of the Marão river crossing which is also known as Viaduto V3.

A wide satellite view of the Marão Bridge construction site shows the path of the new highway south of the older route. The bypass required the construction of several large viaducts and tunnels. The Marão tunnel entrance would be at the far right of the satellite image.

Significant progress can clearly be seen on the construction of Marão piers 2, 4, 5 and 6 while pier 3 is just above the foundation stage. You can double click on the image for a closer look.